Supreme Court Orders Performance Audit on Maharashtra Slum Redevelopment Law

In an unprecedented verdict, the Supreme Court directed the Bombay High Court to conduct a performance audit of Maharashtra's 1971 law on slum redevelopment. The court highlighted delays in over 1,600 pending cases and emphasized the constitutional duty of the executive branch to monitor and assess the law’s impact continuously.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has instructed the Bombay High Court to conduct a performance audit of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971. This unprecedented verdict comes as the top court expresses concern over the backlog of more than 1,600 pending cases, affecting the welfare of the poor.

The Supreme Court emphasized the constitutional responsibilities of the executive branch to ensure the effective implementation of statutes. It stated that continuous monitoring and real-time assessment are imperative for the success of such laws. Justices PS Narasimha and Aravind Kumar highlighted the role of the judiciary as a facilitator of access to justice and systemic reforms.

The court also dismissed an appeal by Yash Developers, upholding the Bombay High Court's decision to cancel a slum-redevelopment project in Borivali, Mumbai. The prolonged project, lasting over two decades, reflects systemic issues in the current statutory framework, underscoring the need for the urgent review and reform mandated by the Supreme Court.